Corset-steel reinforce



(No Model.)

R. M. OURSLER. CORSET STEEL EEINEOEGE.

N0. 600,551. Patented Mar. 15,1898.

INVENTOR WITNESSES me Norms Farms co4 Puma-Unio. wnwomw, n. cv

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

REBECCA M. OURSLER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

CORS ET-STEEL REI N FORCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,551, dated March 15, 1898.

Application filed March 19, 1897. Serial No. 628,289. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, REBECCA M. OURSLER, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Mending Corset-Steels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of a portion of a corset, showing my improved splicing and men ding device. Fig. 2 is a back view of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the splicing and mending device detached. Fig. 4 is a back view of same, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the manner of securing the device to the corset.

My invention relates to means for mending and splicing the broken front steels in corsets in such a manner that the steel is restored to its normal stiffness without losing the resiliency of the unbroken steel, thus rendering the corset capable of further wear. Heretofore it has been necessary to renew these steels when broken or to discard the corset, and if the former course is pursued it involves much trouble and annoyance. If a new steel is to be inserted, it necessitates ripping and resewing that part of the front of the corset which incases the steel, and if the steel on one side of the corset only is renewed the new one sel dom conforms to the coniiguration of the old steel, and very frequently the studs and eyes upon the new and old steels will not register, thus making the corset iit badly. My invention entirely overcomes these objections and difficulties. The broken steel is neatly and quickly repaired and does not require the ripping of the incasing fabric and removes all possibility of improper register between the studs and eyes in the two front steels of the corset.

The device is cheap, neat, and inexpensive and may be applied to any style of corset. It is also readily removed if for any reason it should be necessary to do so.

In the drawings, 2 represents the meeting edges of the corset, one of which is provided with the usual studs 3 and the other with the eyes 4, the studs and eyes being secured to the steels 5. The splicing and mending device comprises a strip of sheet metal 6, preferably of steel, and is provided with prongs 7 and 8 upon its opposite edges. These I arrange in groups, as shown in the drawings. Secured to the strip 6 are three clasps 9, although more might be employed; but I do not consider it desirable to do so. These clasps 9 are secured by yielding connecting-pieces 10 of elastic webbing. This webbing is secured to the strip 6 by the prongs 8 and to the clasp 9 by prongs 11, which may be struck up from the clasp. The elastic webbing permits the clasps to accommodate themselves to varying Widths of steels. The outer edge of the clasp 9 is provided with prongs 12, which are suitably bent and are arranged to interit with the prongs 7 upon the edge of the steel, as shown in Fig. 2. The middle clasp, which covers the broken or severed portion of the steel 5 in case the break is upon the side having the studs 3, I provide, if necessary, with a stud 13, which will supply the stud 3 if it 4should be missing. A strip of leather or other suitable material 14 is secured beneath the middle clasp and its connecting-piece 10 in such a manner as to prevent the broken ends of the steel from cutting the webbing, as the ends usually wear through the coveringfabric incasing them.

If the breaks occurs on the side of the corset having the eyes 4, the clasps 9 are ad justed so as to be adjacent to the eyes 4. The break usually occurs at a point slightly removed from the point Where the eye is secured. The device may be applied to either the stud or eye side of the corset with equal facility, as the device may be reversed end for end.

The manner in whichthe deviceis applied is apparent. The spring steel strip 6 is placed on the side of the steel next to body of the wearer, and the prongs 7 are pushed into the fabric which incases the steel. The prongs 7 are bent in such a manner as to pass through the fabric and engage the back edge of the steel 5. The elastic webbing pieces l0 are then brought around to the front of the corset, and the prongs 12 upon the clasps 9 are forced through the fabric and between the prongs 7, and these also engage the rear edge of the steel, the tendency of the elastic webbing 10 being to cause the prongs 7 and 12 to firmly grip the edge of the IOO broken steel and thus hold the splicing or mending strip firmly against the back side of 1 through the fabric.

broken steel. The meeting ends of the fractured steel are held firmly beneath the middle clasp and its connecting-Web, the leather strip protecting the latter from being cut by the ends of the steel should they protrude This device further prevents the severed ends from being forced by each other When the wearer bends the body, as the splicing-strip 6 takes all the strain, because the end clasps 9 are removed to such a distance from the break that the intermediate portion of the broken steel is relieved of any tendency of the broken portions to move by each other, as the ends of the strip 6 are securely held to the steel 5 and by the end clasps.

Many changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts Without departing from my invention, which may be employed for either the strengthening or mending of the steels.

I claiml. A corset-steel reinforce comprising a resilient strip arranged to be placed against the steel, prongs at one edge of the strip arranged to enter the corset fabric and engage the inner edge of the steel, and clasps secured to the strip and arranged to embrace the steel and secure the strip thereto.

2. A corset-steel reinforce comprising a resilient strip, prongs at one edge of the strip arranged to engage the inner edge ofA the steel, and clasps yieldingly connected to the strip and arranged to embrace the steel and secure the strip thereto. Y

3. A corset steel reinforce comprising a metal strip having prongs upon one edge arranged to enter the corset fabric and engage one edge of the steel, and clasps extending from the opposite edge of the strip, said clasps being provided with prongs arranged to enter the corset fabric and secure the strips thereto.

4. A corset-steel reinforce comprising a metal strip, prongs at one edge of the strip, and elastic strips extending from the opposite edge and having clasps. y

5. -A corset-steel reinforce comprising a resilient strip having prongs at one edge arranged to en ter the corset fabric and engage the inner edge of the steel, clasps secured to the strip near its ends and center portion, and a protecting-piece arranged to be placed over the broken ends of the steel beneath the intermediate clasp.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RE BECCA M. OURSLER.

Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL, O. E. MACKOWN. 

